dental careNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94The latest podcasts and commentary from KMUW - Wichita 89.1 FM.NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94dental careMon, 30 Jan 2017 01:43:58 +0000dental carehttp://kmuw.org
Andy MarsoAn Oklahoma company said Thursday it has reached an agreement with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and won’t have to suspend dental services to about 360 Kansans in nursing homes. Leaders of Sterling Dental said earlier in the week that they would halt services to Kansans whose Medicaid applications are pending because of payment delays caused by a persistent backlog of applications. In a statement released Thursday, the company’s president, David Goubeaux, said Sterling had received assurances from Mike Randol, director of KDHE’s Division of Health Care Finance, that its outstanding claims would be resolved by February. “We are excited that upon completion of the adjustments next Wednesday that no dental services will be suspended and that we will be able to continue to deliver the dental care needed to the residents in nursing homes in Kansas,” Goubeaux said. Goubeaux thanked Rep. Dan Hawkins, a Republican from Wichita who chairs the House Health and Human ServicesCompany Won’t Suspend Dental Services In Kansas Nursing Homeshttp://kmuw.org/post/company-won-t-suspend-dental-services-kansas-nursing-homes
78533 as http://kmuw.orgThu, 26 Jan 2017 23:52:10 +0000Company Won’t Suspend Dental Services In Kansas Nursing HomesAndy MarsoUpdated Thursday, 4:23 p.m.: Kansas News Service's Andy Marso reports that Sterling Dental has reached an agreement with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment on payments and will no longer suspend services to Kansans on the Medicaid backlog . Original story: About 350 elderly and disabled Kansans are suddenly without dental care after an Oklahoma City company informed nursing homes that it was suspending services for Kansas residents whose Medicaid applications are pending. The company, Sterling Dental, sends dentists to nursing homes in Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas for on-site care. But ongoing problems with Kansas’ Medicaid application process have left some residents waiting almost a year for coverage, and Sterling has decided it can no longer wait to be paid. Cindy Luxem heads the Kansas Health Care Association, a nursing home advocacy group in Kansas. She said she heard about Sterling’s decision from another advocacy group, LeadingAge Kansas, and was frustrated thatDental Care Provider Halts Services At Kansas Nursing Homes Amid Medicaid Backlog http://kmuw.org/post/dental-care-provider-halts-services-kansas-nursing-homes-amid-medicaid-backlog
78505 as http://kmuw.orgThu, 26 Jan 2017 17:38:01 +0000Dental Care Provider Halts Services At Kansas Nursing Homes Amid Medicaid Backlog Bryan ThompsonThe agency responsible for accrediting all dental education programs has decided to accredit so-called mid-level dental providers. As Heartland Health Monitor’s Bryan Thompson explains, the decision has implications for the ongoing effort to license those providers in Kansas. The Commission on Dental Accreditation says without national accreditation standards for dental therapists, the requirements would vary from state to state. The United Methodist Health Ministry Fund has been funding efforts to make this level of care available in Kansas. CEO Kim Moore says the decision undercuts the arguments of the Kansas Dental Association that this would be substandard care. “This is a legitimate profession. They can operate safely when properly educated, and there are going to be national standards that can be used by Kansas to assure itself that we do the proper education," he says. But Kevin Robertson, who heads the Kansas Dental Association, says that doesn’t mean Kansas should license nonKansas Advocates Of Mid-Level Dental Providers Cheered By Accreditation Decisionhttp://kmuw.org/post/kansas-advocates-mid-level-dental-providers-cheered-accreditation-decision
56414 as http://kmuw.orgWed, 09 Sep 2015 15:49:22 +0000Kansas Advocates Of Mid-Level Dental Providers Cheered By Accreditation DecisionAbigail BeckmanThe Wichita Sedgwick County Oral Health Coalition is hosting “Give Kids A Smile Day” this Saturday. KMUW’s Abigail Wilson reports that the event gives free dental care to 350,000 children nationwide who don’t have insurance… This year’s "Give Kids A Smile Day" has been expanded to include children living in Butler, Harvey, Reno, Sedgwick , Sumner, and Harper Counties. Judy Johnston, who helps coordinate the event, says it's open to children ages 2 to 12, but reservations are necessary. “Every child who comes through the event will get their teeth cleaned, they will get a set of x-rays, they’ll get at least a visual exam of the teeth,” Johnston says. Dentists will also give fillings, root canals and crowns to those who need them. The event will take place from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm at GraceMed Clinic on North Topeka in Wichita. In past years, as many as 250 children in need of dental care have been treated at the event. To make a reservation in English, call (316) 882-1922. To make a'Give Kids A Smile' To Be Held Saturdayhttp://kmuw.org/post/give-kids-smile-be-held-saturday
47881 as http://kmuw.orgThu, 05 Mar 2015 22:00:00 +0000'Give Kids A Smile' To Be Held SaturdayBryan ThompsonNearly 400 dental professionals gathered in Salina this weekend to provide free dental care to those in need. Bryan Thompson has more on the 14th Kansas Mission of Mercy. Salina orthodontist Cindy Reed says some of the 1,400 patients started lining up Wednesday afternoon—even though the free clinic didn’t begin until Friday morning. “They’re very, very needy," Reed says. "They’re also very, very grateful.” The advocacy group Oral Health Kansas surveyed patients as they were leaving. Executive Director Tanya Dorf Brunner says, for many, it’s the only way they can get dental care. “People come because they don’t have any way to pay for dental services," he says. "They don’t have insurance, and so we’re trying to collect new data to see if that’s still the case. And, glancing at surveys people are filling out, that’s proving to be the case.” Dorf Brunner says KanCare needs more than just bare-bones dental coverage for adults, and Medicaid expansion is needed so more of the working poorKansas Mission Of Mercy Helps Fill A Gaping Need For Dental Carehttp://kmuw.org/post/kansas-mission-mercy-helps-fill-gaping-need-dental-care
47060 as http://kmuw.orgMon, 16 Feb 2015 17:32:19 +0000Kansas Mission Of Mercy Helps Fill A Gaping Need For Dental CareBryan ThompsonA new report from the Kansas Dental Project finds that dental services are unavailable in more than one third of the counties in Kansas for people covered by KanCare. KanCare is the new, privatized Medicaid system in Kansas. Backers are fond of pointing out that the three private insurance companies now operating Medicaid are offering benefits not previously available through Medicaid—like preventive dental care for adults. However, coverage does not guarantee there is a dentist willing to accept it. According to the Kansas Dental Project, there are 37 counties where there aren't any dentists in the KanCare provider network. That means 28,000 Kansans covered by KanCare have to travel outside their home county to find a dentist who will accept their insurance. Suzanne Wikle , who heads the Kansas Dental Project, sees that as one more reason that Registered Dental Practitioners are needed to ease the state’s dental workforce shortage.More Than 1 In 3 Counties Lack A KanCare Dentisthttp://kmuw.org/post/more-1-3-counties-lack-kancare-dentist
14133 as http://kmuw.orgThu, 14 Mar 2013 11:03:06 +0000More Than 1 In 3 Counties Lack A KanCare DentistBill that will change judicial selection process is on its way to the governor; Many Kansas counties lack a KanCare dental provider; Conference aims to strengthen marriages. Kan. Senate Debating Union Contribution Bill A bill keeping public employee unions in Kansas from deducting money from members' paychecks for political activities is advancing in the Legislature. The Senate is scheduled to debate it Thursday, and it's expected to pass. Bill supporters say they want to prevent public employee unions from funneling money deducted from members' paychecks to candidates or causes opposed by those members. Opponents argue there's no need for the legislation because union members agree to all deductions from their paychecks. Public employee unions say the measure is a politically motivated attempt to undermine groups that overwhelmingly support Democrats. Judicial Selection Bill Is On Its Way To Brownback Legislation giving the Kansas governor and lawmakers more power in appointing CourtTop Morning News 3.14.13http://kmuw.org/post/top-morning-news-31413
14134 as http://kmuw.orgThu, 14 Mar 2013 10:20:39 +0000Top Morning News 3.14.13KS House advances change in judicial selection; Teacher's union objects to bill that limits bargaining; Thousands expected to turnout for Mission of Mercy. Kan. House Advances Change In Judicial Selection Process The Kansas House has given first-round approval to a bill that changes how appeals court judges are selected. The bill allows the governor to appoint the judges, who would then be confirmed by the state Senate. More... Kan. Teacher's Union Objects To Bill That Limits Bargaining The union representing Kansas teachers says its members were prevented from weighing in on a bill that limits some bargaining rights. More... Mission Of Mercy Expects Turnout Of Thousands Two-thousand Wichita-area residents are expected to take advantage of free dental care Friday and Saturday at the Kansas Pavilions. More... Sixty Percent Of Sedgwick County Homeowners Won't Get A Valuation Notice In an effort to save $40,000 in mailing costs this year, the Sedgwick County Appraiser's office will onlyTop Morning News 3.01.13http://kmuw.org/post/top-morning-news-30113
13494 as http://kmuw.orgFri, 01 Mar 2013 11:00:56 +0000Top Morning News 3.01.13Milt RadfordMore than 2,000 people are expected to take advantage of free dental work Friday and Saturday at the Kansas Coliseum Pavilions. The Kansas Mission of Mercy has returned to Wichita for the first time since 2006. Back then, 1900 people took advantage of an estimated $1 million of free dental care including cleanings, fillings and extractions. Greg Hill, the executive director of the Kansas Dental Charitable Foundation, said their goal is to provide dental care to as many patients as they can during the two days. More than 500 dental professionals are registered to participate. “We want to take care of their dental needs that for whatever reason, they haven’t been able to get taken care of,” said Hill. There are no eligibility or income requirements. Doors open at 5:30 a.m. both days and all patients are helped on a first-come, first-served basis but be prepared, the lines are long. Kansas Coliseum Pavilions are located at 1229 E. 85th St. N., Park City, Kan.Mission Of Mercy Expects Turnout Of Thousandshttp://kmuw.org/post/mission-mercy-expects-turnout-thousands
13461 as http://kmuw.orgFri, 01 Mar 2013 11:00:00 +0000Mission Of Mercy Expects Turnout Of Thousands